Rev. Dr. Paul L. Maier, Camp Arcadia’s longest continuously-serving dean, was called home to heaven on February 27, 2025. We rejoice in the promise of eternal life through Christ, our Lord, even as we mourn this loss with his friends and family.
Son of Rev. Dr. Walther A. Maier, one of Camp Arcadia’s founders and founder of the International Luther Hour, Dr. Maier’s professional resume is filled with impressive honors and accolades, including roles as a respected professor, prolific writer and accomplished lecturer. His works included best-selling novels, countless articles, children’s books and documentaries.
Dr. Maier was a firm defender of the faith with a deep passion and knowledge of evangelism and apologetics, making him a sought after expert of the authenticity of the Bible and leader within the church-at-large, as well as secular spaces. He had a bold vision for specific continued education for pastors and seminary students in evangelism and apologetics.
Dr. Maier first spoke as a lecturer at Camp Arcadia during the 1963 season, serving continuously over the 61 years that followed. His jovial and collegial disposition has been well-known and well-loved by Camp Arcadia community members for many years.
One of the earliest recollections I have from being manager is Dr. Paul arriving at Camp, enthusiastic as always. Many of my thoughts of Dr. Paul are memories and stories. He was a well-respected lecturer, but he also had a sharp sense of humor and loved being at Camp with his family.
Rev. Dr. Paul Maier was a treasured life-long Dean and Lecturer at Camp Arcadia. For many years (1970s-1980s) as Camp guests, Tom and I enjoyed Paul’s enlightening lectures where he deftly combined his knowledge of ancient history with his deep insights concerning New Testament Christianity. However, it was during my tenure as Camp Director (1990-96) that I was privileged to share more time with Paul. He was a gifted communicator, both on stage and off! He always had encouraging words and a friendly smile for me. Paul’s remarkable books were added to my library, personally signed. Although he received many awards and honors, Paul was always among us as a thoughtful, loving servant. I was blessed with his presence, his spirit, and his knowledge.
I give thanks to God for Dr. Paul Maier and his contributions to Camp Arcadia as Camp's longest serving lecturer. Through his world-class research and academic insights on the Christian faith, Dr. Paul has been one of our most popular presenters. His winsome delivery was always peppered with clever and humorous insights and stories. As a top scholar and the son of one of the founders of Camp Arcadia, Paul gave legitimacy to Camp's programs during the 70's and early 80's when Camp's attendance was flagging. It is hard to imagine a summer without Dr. Paul, but his legacy has helped Camp create a dean and lecturer program that is a highlight of the Camp Arcadia experience.
Dr. Maier was not only an insightful scholar and engaging teacher; he was a beloved husband, father, and Papa – and he had the freedom to be all of those things at once here at Camp Arcadia.
One of the beauties of the Camp Arcadia experience is seeing top scholars and faith leaders let their hair down and have fun with their families and the rest of the campers. I have so many memories of Dr. Paul writing a camper talent show skit and convincing his family and others to join him on stage to perform. I also have fond memories of him regaling the late night audience on the front porch with his adventures in the Holy Land as a young scholar.
At Camp Arcadia’s 100th Anniversary, Dr. Maier shared stories from his long history with Camp Arcadia – he started his remarks by saying, “I’ll start at the beginning of the beginning… but there’s so much more to come!”
While Dr. Maier originally directed this comment toward Camp’s enduring legacy, I believe that, now in glory, he might share a similar message with each of us – that there’s so much more to come in the joy of eternity that is granted through faith in Jesus Christ.
We praise God for the comfort of this promise and the peace of knowing that Dr. Maier is now in the presence of his Savior, the One he so passionately preached, proclaimed, and defended his whole life long.
Funeral services will be held on Friday morning in Kalamazoo, MI. Details and Rev. Dr. Paul Maier’s full obituary can be found here.
Our thanks to Camp Arcadia’s Archives for many of the collected photos shared in this tribute.
6 Responses
You captured him! What a thoughtful and excellently written article. Thank you.
What a blessing to our family, Camp Arcadia, and the entire world!
What a warrior for the Faith! Dr Paul had a HUGE impact on me and my family. I will fondly remember his lectures, Josephus, libation on the porch and the never-ending supply of stories he would share with us. God rest your soul, Dr Paul. Job well done!
So sad to hear of our loss, but heaven rejoices. I cannot help but think he is in heaven more perfectly praying for his family and all of us.
My grandmother and grandfather, parents, aunts and uncles looked forward to his lectures and books. My sister and I and our families, including children, also have valued his yearly input, his children’s books, his Skeleton books, his involvement in modern day controversies, to clarify misunderstandings with his immense and active historical knowledge. The light of Jesus shone through him for many generations of students in western Michigan, where he taught. So I agree that he has lived life as a warrior, and inspired generations to follow God in the same way: “The Lord is a warrior, the Lord is his name”. (Exodus 15:3). I especially appreciated his work on keeping the Word in touch with archaeology with the Caiaphus stone and Creation.
I remember in one of his lectures when I was at camp, he said that Jesus wasn’t born in the winter but in the summer months of however the calendar went, back in those days, and then he explained why we celebrate Christmas in December but I can’t quite remember how he explained it or what he said.
I heard Paul lecture a number of times at Camp Arcadia over the years and always learned things about the Bible presented with insight, knowledge and humor! I have several of his books that he signed for me. I stayed at the Volle cottage with my mother and father-in-law and enjoyed his visits for cocktails.
I’m sure he will be missed by so many. Condolences with prayers, Carol Volle.